Economics, environment, mobility, safety

Gone to pot…fixing UK roads

Potholes can play havoc with a cars’ suspension and council coffers. Potholes cause £100-300m of damage a year and although one in ten motorists suffer from damage 80% of motorists do not believe council tax increases should be used to improve the roads*.

13% of respondents to the whatcar.com poll said they would be prepared to pay up to £10 a month extra if it meant that local roads would be in a better condition and just 2% said they would pay up to £20 a month for improved roads. The motorist currently pays £45 billion to the treasury each year (RUA, 2006/07**) and therefore put in this context it is understandable why the majority of motorists are reluctant to pay even more to finance transport improvements.